Chinchero
Chincero, or city of rainbows, is an old Inca village that has a unique wool factory that operates in the same way as the Incas of old. There are also ruins and another experimental agricultural area. The temperature up there was in the high fifties, but the sun was bright and warming.
On the way to Chinchero
On the way to Chinchero

On the way to Chinchero
 		The obligatory couple in the Andes shot
The obligatory couple in the Andes shot

The obligatory couple in the Andes shot
 		The first place we visited in Chinchero was a factory that produces wool and alpaca from the raw wool to finished product
The first place we visited in Chinchero was a factory that produces wool and alpaca from the raw wool to finished product

The first place we visited in Chinchero was a factory that produces wool and alpaca from the raw wool to finished product
 		The first step is too clean the wool The native root shown here, when crushed and mixed with water produces an excellent soap
The first step is too clean the wool The native root shown here, when crushed and mixed with water produces an excellent soap

The first step is too clean the wool The native root shown here, when crushed and mixed with water produces an excellent soap
She dipped and squeezed the dirty wool for about thirty seconds
She dipped and squeezed the dirty wool for about thirty seconds

She dipped and squeezed the dirty wool for about thirty seconds
 		The result was amazing, clean wool
The result was amazing, clean wool

The result was amazing, clean wool
 		The wool was then spun into yarn This woman holds the wool under her arm and pulls out strands little by little By spinning the spool she makes perfectly uniform yarn
The wool was then spun into yarn This woman holds the wool under her arm and pulls out strands little by little By spinning the spool she makes perfectly uniform yarn

The wool was then spun into yarn This woman holds the wool under her arm and pulls out strands little by little By spinning the spool she makes perfectly uniform yarn
 		The next step was to dye the yarn using natural materials found locally
The next step was to dye the yarn using natural materials found locally

The next step was to dye the yarn using natural materials found locally
This grass makes a light blue yarn
This grass makes a light blue yarn

This grass makes a light blue yarn
 		This dark corn makes purple or black yarn
This dark corn makes purple or black yarn

This dark corn makes purple or black yarn
 		These cactus beetles make red yarn
These cactus beetles make red yarn

These cactus beetles make red yarn
 		The natural dyes are boiled for some time and then the yarn is added to the pot
The natural dyes are boiled for some time and then the yarn is added to the pot

The natural dyes are boiled for some time and then the yarn is added to the pot
After a few seconds of being in the dye this was the result
After a few seconds of being in the dye this was the result

After a few seconds of being in the dye this was the result
 		The ladies then added salt to the water and dye and another color is produced. To make the dye permanent the yarn is boiled for 30 minutes
The ladies then added salt to the water and dye and another color is produced. To make the dye permanent the yarn is boiled for 30 minutes

The ladies then added salt to the water and dye and another color is produced. To make the dye permanent the yarn is boiled for 30 minutes
 		When the yarn is dry it is ready for weaving
When the yarn is dry it is ready for weaving

When the yarn is dry it is ready for weaving
 		These ladies have no pattern to follow, but the knowledge has been passed down from generation to generation
These ladies have no pattern to follow, but the knowledge has been passed down from generation to generation

These ladies have no pattern to follow, but the knowledge has been passed down from generation to generation
To weave this piece takes about 30 days
To weave this piece takes about 30 days

To weave this piece takes about 30 days
 		The final step is to put an edge on the rug so it will not unravel
The final step is to put an edge on the rug so it will not unravel

The final step is to put an edge on the rug so it will not unravel
 		Here are the drying yarns waiting to be woven into clothing
Here are the drying yarns waiting to be woven into clothing

Here are the drying yarns waiting to be woven into clothing
 		The shop sold only their own work and were not pushy
The shop sold only their own work and were not pushy

The shop sold only their own work and were not pushy
When I found out they had a cat I bought more hats
When I found out they had a cat I bought more hats

When I found out they had a cat I bought more hats
 		The kitten was cute and well cared for
The kitten was cute and well cared for

The kitten was cute and well cared for
 		In the same town were more ruins of another experimental agricultural station Out of site the terraces continued down the valley
In the same town were more ruins of another experimental agricultural station Out of site the terraces continued down the valley

In the same town were more ruins of another experimental agricultural station Out of site the terraces continued down the valley
 		Nearby we spotted a woman sorting potatoes
Nearby we spotted a woman sorting potatoes

Nearby we spotted a woman sorting potatoes
She was taking out the yellow ones because they have the best flavor These potatoes are tiny because they are grown in the high mountains without irrigation
She was taking out the yellow ones because they have the best flavor These potatoes are tiny because they are grown in the high mountains without irrigation

She was taking out the yellow ones because they have the best flavor These potatoes are tiny because they are grown in the high mountains without irrigation
 		I am holding dried potatoes that have been squeezed and then left in the sun to finsh the process.
I am holding dried potatoes that have been squeezed and then left in the sun to finsh the process.

I am holding dried potatoes that have been squeezed and then left in the sun to finsh the process.
 		On the way back to Cuzco we stopped to observe an entire town working together to repair an aquaduct. Such cooperative projects are common in the highlands
On the way back to Cuzco we stopped to observe an entire town working together to repair an aquaduct. Such cooperative projects are common in the highlands

On the way back to Cuzco we stopped to observe an entire town working together to repair an aquaduct. Such cooperative projects are common in the highlands